***  First Announcement  ***


                          MODEST-8b
                          =========

         Multiscale Multiphysics Scientific Environment 
  Towards realistic modeling of dense stellar systems in MUSE
  -----------------------------------------------------------



1.) GENERAL INFORMATION
=======================

It is our pleasure to invite you to a 5-day workshop in order to
continue the development and discuss the future of MUSE - a
Multi-scale Multi-physics Software Environment. The purpose of MUSE is
to realistically model dense stellar systems such as young star
clusters and galactic nuclei (see http://muse.li). Important steps had been
taken over the last two years at previous workshops, most recently in
Split, Croatia, in August 2007, where we accomplished to complete a
working interface to connect a complete set of base codes. During this
next meeting we plan to demonstrate the capabilities of MUSE by
simulating a star cluster including stellar dynamics, stellar
evolution as well as stellar collisions. By now NOVA has provided finanical
support for the further development of MUSE.


2.) MEETING VENUE
=================

Astronomical Institute 'Anton Pannekoek' and Section Computational Science
University of Amsterdam
Kruislaan 403
1098SJ Amsterdam 


3.) ORGANISATION
================

Simon Portegies Zwart
Stefan Harfst
Evghenii Gaburov
Derek Groen


4.) REGISTRATION
================

To register please go to:
http://modesta.science.uva.nl/modest/modest8b/register.html

The dead-line for registration is July 31th and we encourage you to
register as early as possible.

There is no registration fee due for this workshop.


5.) PROGRAMME
=============

The scientific programme is focused on continuing the development of
MUSE and most of the time during the workshop the participants will
work in small groups on writing MUSE code. A few talks on MUSE-related
topics and an introduction to GRID computing with MUSE will round off
the programme. Further details of the programme will be announced at a
later time.

A workshop dinner and a sightseeing-tour of Amsterdam are also planned
in addition to the scientific programme.


6.) OTHER INFORMATION
=====================

Traveling to Amsterdam  
----------------------
Amsterdam is best reached by plane, Schipohl International Airport has
direct connections to many major cities world wide. From the airport,
public transport is available to get ot the institute/city centre.


Accommodation in Amsterdam 
-------------------------- 
We recommend that you contact your preferred hotel as soon as possible
to make a reservation. We recommend one of the following hotels:

Hotel Rembrandt
Hotel Bridge

Rooms in either hotel go for about 100 Euro per night, including
breakfast.


What to bring
-------------
We recomment that participants bring their own (LINUX or MAC-OS)
laptop. There will be a wireless network at the workshop location.


Financial support 
----------------- 
We may be able to offer a limited
amount of finanical support to students. If you require support to
attend the workshop please send an email to Derek Groen at
modest8b@gmail.com


Website
-------
More information can be found on the workshops webpage